29 Shevat 5768

Today is the yahrtzeit of HaRav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, Z’tl, the great Alter of Slobodka. His Gadlus built future generations in Europe, Eretz Yisroel and America through his students, among them HaRav Aharon Kotler, Z’tl, HaRav Yaakov Kamenetzsky, Z’tl, HaRav Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman, Z’tl. We have excerpted below some of his teachings from _Sparks of Mussar_ by Rabbi Chaim Ephraim Zaitchik.

1. To R’ Nosson Zvi, chesed was as important as fear of G-d and observance of mitzvos. When his son R’ Moshe fell ill, R’ Nosson Zvi sent a messenger to three Yerushalmi’s asking them to pray for his son’s recovery: The elderly Kabbalist R’ Shlomo Elyashav, another tzadik from the elders of Jerusalem, and a medic who was famous for his deeds of kindness.

2. The cornerstone of R’ Nosson Zvi’s service of G-d was chesed. This, to him, meant being careful of another’s honor and dignity, helping others, having one’s heart overflow with love and kindness, utilizing every opportunity to benefit others. It meant that older students should learn in Chavrusa with younger ones in order to imbue them with the spirit of Torah and Mussar. Above all, it meant that one should greet his fellow with a pleasant countenance, because it makes the other person feel good and binds people together in friendship.